QWEL CURRICULUM. Valve, Controller & Field Wire Troubleshooting

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Madeleine Davidson
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1 QWEL CURRICULUM Valve, Controller & Field Wire Troubleshooting

2 CLASS TEN OVERVIEW 1. Learn how an irrigation valve works 2. Learn how to identify irrigation valve and controller problems 3. Learn how to troubleshoot irrigation valves and controllers 4. Learn how to use a Volt/Ohm meter

3 WHAT S YOUR PROBLEM? Valve Won t Open? Valve Won t Close?

4 VALVE MECHANICS Before you can fix it..you must know how it works

5 VALVE ANATOMY

6 VALVE ANATOMY Solenoid Diaphram External Bleed Bonnet Flow Control Valve Seat Ports Watch valve animation click here

7 PROCESS OF ELIMINATION Only three possibilities for valve malfunction 1. Hydraulic - something has impaired the flow of water 2. Mechanical - something is physically stopping the valve from functioning properly 3. Electrical - something is wrong with the valve solenoid, the field wiring, or the irrigation controller

8 HAVE A PLAN WORK YOUR PLAN Identify Problem stuck open/won t open 1. Start with the obvious Is the water On? Is the power On? Is the correct program in controller? 2. Be Consistent

9 VALVE STUCK OPEN Possible culprits Incorrect controller setting Worn or damaged diaphragm Debris in valve Loose solenoid / bleed screw Damaged valve seat Insufficient force on the top of the diaphragm

10 VALVE STUCK OPEN Insufficient force on the top of the diaphragm Valve not tuned Adjust flow control down (this is common when lowflow/pressure conditions are present) Plunger missing Constant voltage from solenoid Leak at bonnet Backwards valve

11 VALVE STUCK OPEN Weeping valve - water is slowly but constantly escaping from lowest sprinkler head(s) Culprit 1. Damaged solenoid seat 2. Damaged valve seat 3. Debris in valve

12 VALVE WON T OPEN Possible culprits Flow control is down Bad solenoid Test with volt/ohm meter Plugged ports Solenoid not receiving voltage 1. Broken field wire 2. Bad connection 3. Controller problem

13 REMEMBER YOUR PLAN...WORK YOUR PLAN Start at the controller and work towards the valve, or start at the valve and work back to the controller: I prefer to start at the controller Be consistent

14 AT THE CONTROLLER Check the obvious 1. Is it plugged in? 2. Check program - Start time / run time / days on 3. Check fuses 4. Sensors? Verify power Use volt/ohm meter Check terminals

15 AT THE CONTROLLER AC / GND / VC / MV J1A J2A J3A J4A J5A J6A J7A 24 VAC YEL RED GRN VALVE COMMON COM + - SENSOR PORT

16 USING A VOLT/OHM METER Testing power at the terminal AC AC C Should Read between 24 and 28 Volts

17 USING A VOLT/OHM METER Testing station power at the terminal AC AC C Turn on Stations and test each terminal Should Read between 24 and 28 Volts

18 USING A VOLT/OHM METER Testing power at the transformer Should read between 24 and 28 volts Should read between 105 and 129 volts

USING A VOLT/OHM METER Testing continuity C 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continuity is the path of the wire through the solenoid back to the controller

19 USING A VOLT/OHM METER Testing continuity C Continuity is the path of the wire through the solenoid back to the controller If the connection is open, the resistance (ohms) is high or infinite QWEL If it is very low, there may be a short in the line or solenoid

20 SOLENOID DIAGNOSTIC CHART 0-6 ohm = Shorted solenoid - Replace 6-15 ohm = Slow burn - Draws excessive amps ohm = Good solenoid 50 + ohm = Broken internal wire - Replace = Break in wire or bad connection

21 Valve, Controller & Field Wire Troubleshooting Process of elimination Quickly determine if an issue is electrical or hydraulic using internal and external bleed screws External Internal

22 USING INTERNAL BLEED SCREW VALVE OPENS! Solenoid failure Solenoid plunger clearance Wiring issue Controller issue (including programming) Go to controller troubleshooting section

23 USING INTERNAL BLEED SCREW VALVE WON T OPEN Close internal bleed screw Open external bleed screw

24 VALVE WON T OPEN USING EXTERNAL MANUAL BLEED No water to valve (no water from bleed port) Flow control turned down (water from bleed port) Diaphragm condition (too stiff to move)

25 DON T GIVE UP! If you ve worked your plan and still can t figure it out 1. Check all connections at terminals and in field 2. Look for bugs, frogs, snails and lizards 3. Check sensors jumpers 4. Look for bent cables/wires

26 AT THE CONTROLLER AC / GND / VC / MV VAC J1A J2A J3A J4A J5A J6A J7A YEL RED GRN VALVE COMMON COM SENSOR PORT

27 SUMMARY Learn how an irrigation valve works Learn how to identify irrigation valve and controller problems Learn how to troubleshoot irrigation valves and controllers Learn how to use a Volt/Ohm meter QWEL

28 QUESTION & ANSWER QWEL

California Friendly Landscape Training

California Friendly Landscape Training Irrigation Course Irrigation System Troubleshooting Course originally developed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Irrigation Training &